Certification Supportive Services for Districts 4 - 6 - RFP

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is seeking a vendor to provide Certification Supportive Services for Highway Districts 4 through 6, focusing on Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) assistance and outreach. The selected vendor will be responsible for delivering comprehensive technical support to DBE firms, including certification assistance, training presentations, and helping prospective and existing DBEs navigate the certification process. Key deliverables include developing a DBE outreach plan, conducting certification workshops, and providing marketing support to DBE firms in the specified districts. The project requires a project manager with a minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in Illinois' DBE program. Evaluation criteria will include both technical requirements and pricing, with the state reserving the right to award to the most responsive and responsible offeror. The contract opportunity was posted on October 31, 2024, with proposals due by November 20, 2024, through the state's BidBuy procurement system.

The procurement has a significant focus on DBE participation, with a 27% DBE utilization goal for the contract. Vendors must submit a detailed Utilization Plan and DBE Participation Statement, demonstrating either meeting the goal or showing good faith efforts to do so. The contract term is two years, with the option to renew for an additional two years, and pricing must be submitted as a fully-loaded hourly rate inclusive of all costs. Vendors must complete various disclosure forms, including the IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure and Vendor Disclosure forms, certifying compliance with state requirements and providing detailed business information. While no specific incumbent vendor is mentioned, the contract requires extensive documentation of DBE firm interactions, including quarterly reports detailing the total number of DBE firms assisted, direct service hours, workshops presented, and specific assistance provided. The pricing table indicates estimated annual hours for a Project Manager and Trainer across Districts 4, 5, and 6, though specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated in the provided documents.